WHAT'S NEW

TED Talk By Writer Anne Lamott - 12 Truths I Learned From Life And Writing

Just a few days before she turned 61, Anne Lamott decided to sit down and make a list of the things she knew to be true throughout her life. In this video, she shares those truths, as well as how she came to know them. In a funny, down to earth, and inspiring way, she discusses her views on everything from a parent’s place in their child’s Hero’s Journey, to the idea that sometimes even the human body just needs to be turned off and back on again.

Carol Dweck is a pioneering researcher in the field of motivation, why people succeed (or don’t) and how to foster success

In this TED talk, she describes two ways to think about a problem that’s slightly too hard for you to solve. Are you not smart enough to solve it … or have you just not solved it yet? A great introduction to this influential field.

WOMEN in HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIp

I was honored to be a part of panel of experts presenting on April 1st at the annual spring forum of Women in Healthcare Leadership at the School of Public Health at U-Michigan. I, along with three other experts, presented and answered questions on the subject of leaders managing change and being a change agent, even if not in a formal position of power.

WHAT'S COMING

I was there and it was wonderful! This was my fourth year of attending the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business Positive Business Conference. Every time I have attended this conference I have come away with renewed energy, new ideas and great contacts with like-minded people from around the country and around the world. The annual conference is held at Michigan Ross, the leading center of global excellence in positive business. Faculty at the Ross pioneered positive organizational scholarship and continue to lead research that applies positive business practices across all functions, from accounting, to marketing, to supply chain management and more.

At the conference we engaged with these thought leaders and their extraordinary research, and heard from a wide variety of leaders in companies across the spectrum modeling exciting, innovative and often courageous examples of real world implementation of positive business practices.

Doesn’t everyone want to work in a positive environment? What is most enlightening is that these environments, where people are flourishing and thriving, ultimately, produce higher profits and better bottom lines for the business. In positive business language this is a called a “virtuous circle.”

It's not just the nice thing to do it's the smart thing to do!

We learned from these thought leaders and their extraordinary research, and hear from executives from courageous intrapreneurs and leaders at these companies both large and small.

As you may already know, there was a full schedule of inspirational speakers from organizations including Google, Patagonia, London Business School, PwC, and the Kellogg Company to name a few. Workshops and sessions by world-class faculty provided brand new insights on positive sustainable practices and updates on current related research.

“Sometimes I’ll get asparagus,and I’m just over the moon about it!”

“Sometimes I’ll get asparagus, and I’m just over the moon about it!” This is a quote from Paul, a formerly homeless young man helped by the Hope Clinic (another fine organization) and Food Gatherers, a wonderful non-profit organization here in Washtenaw County working to stamp out hunger, both by providing resources and addressing the causes.

Are you often over-run in the summer with zucchinis and tomatoes? Other fresh produce? Here is a quote from the organization’s last summer newsletter:

“As it approaches peak harvest time, remember that you can always donate fresh garden produce to Food Gatherers. More than 60% of the food we distribute is produce or protein items. Fresh and perishable foods can be dropped off at Food Gatherers Warehouse, 1 Carrot Way, Ann Arbor, M, T, T, F from 9AM-5PM, and W 9AM-7PM.”

I read this and thought, ‘I didn’t know that!’ All the food drives I have been involved in have only accepted non-perishable foods, but of course, the ideal would be to provide as much fresh and healthy food as possible.

Even if you are not blessed with an over-abundance of produce, do consider supporting them in some way financially. I have continued to do so for years because I so believe in the work they are doing.

Also, consider visiting, maybe even volunteering, and when you are there congratulate Executive Director Eileen Spring and her team of committed staff and volunteer workers for this: